Bright Lights for the Big City

December 5, 2013

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, REV Birmingham and the City of Birmingham are pleased to announce funding has been secured for future downtown lighting projects – including 20th, 19th and 14th Street Underpasses. Each of the new light-art installations will have their own unique identity. They are scheduled to come online in early 2014.

“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with REV Birmingham and the city to complete the work we started with the 18th Street light-art project,” said Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham President Kate Nielsen. “The Catalyst Fund, which is making this project possible, was set up to fund big ideas that can spark community change. This lighting project certainly fits the bill. Our Community Catalyst Fund donors believe that having these permanent light-art installations in the four major underpasses will build a vital connection between the north and south side of our city center, contributing to its growing vibrancy. The Community Foundation will continue to work with our Catalyst Fund donors to explore other grant making opportunities throughout our five-county area.”

The 20th Street Underpass lighting ceremony, presented by BBVA Compass, is scheduled for February. Additional events will be announced in the upcoming year.

“As a member of the Birmingham community, BBVA Compass takes pride in participating in activities that help enhance our city for its residents and our employees,” said BBVA Compass City President Alan Register. “We look forward to doing our part to illuminate the holidays and build a better Birmingham.”

REV Birmingham, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and the City unveiled LightRails: An Artistic Lighting Installation at the 18th Street Railroad Viaduct on Thursday, June 27th, 2013.

18th Street Light Art

Funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham’s Community Catalyst Fund, the 18th Street LED installation is a permanent public display intended to activate underused space and encourage pedestrian traffic in a vital connection between two growing areas of downtown Birmingham. The first installation project was led and designed by nationally renowned San Antonio artist and sculptor Bill Fitzgibbons.

“Our strategy for the City Center is to focus on the connections between the great assets we have downtown,” said REV Birmingham President & CEO David Fleming. “These underpasses, which have long been dark and kind of scary for nighttime pedestrians, are being transformed into works of art that now invite pedestrian traffic between the Parkside District and the Theatre, Civil Rights and Financial Districts to the north.”

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